Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors have been asked to bid by 8 March for the estimated $1,000 million contract. The scope of works includes the construction of the plant plus storage facilities and pipelines. The LPG will be used to feed C2, C3 and C5 gases to the Mashad petrochemical complex.

Several potential bidding consortia have already emerged. Spain's Tecnicas Reunidashas teamed up with Iran International Engineering Company (Iritec) and Kayson Group, both local, South Korea's Daewoo Engineering & Constructionhas joined up with Canada's SNC Lavalinand the local Jahanpars, and Germany's Lindeis with the local Sazeh Consult. South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries is also understood to be interested but has not yet found a local partner. Japan's JGC Corporation, France's Technipand Italy's Snamprogettiare understood to have declined to bid for the project.